Ministry of Justice

Child Arrangements Orders: Grandparents

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of giving grandparents a statutory right of access to their grandchildren in certain circumstances.

Mike Freer: The Government has not undertaken an assessment of the potential merits of giving grandparents a statutory right of access to their grandchildren. We understand that grandparents often play an important role in children’s lives and can provide stability in families. However, when making any decision about a child’s upbringing the court’s paramount consideration will always be the welfare of the child, based on the individual facts of the case, no adult has a statutory right to access. Grandparents can seek leave of the court to apply for ‘spending time with’ or ‘living with’ arrangements through a child arrangements order. A grandparent may can also seek permission to apply for a Special Guardianship Order, where they would be responsible for looking after the child. This is available in both private and public law proceedings and will be considered as one of the options for a child in care proceedings.  Special Guardianship Orders in private law proceedings were brought into the scope of legal aid on 1 May 2023. We are also committed to supporting families to resolve private family law matters outside of court where appropriate to ensure that matters are resolved earlier, before conflict becomes entrenched.In March 2021 the Government launched the Mediation Voucher Scheme which provides £500 towards the cost of mediation. As of April 2023, the scheme has helped over 17,000 families, including grandparents to access mediation and resolve their issues away from the family court.

Prisons: Education

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State on 28 March 2023, Official Report, column 811, whether the Fair Deal pensions policy will apply to the (a) commissioning and (b) bidding process for the Prisoner Education Service.

Damian Hinds: Fair Deal Pensions policy is a matter for HMT. As part of the procurements for the Prison Education Service, MOJ will apply the HMT guidance on the application of Fair Deal Pensions policy and this will be reflected in the tender documents when issued.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Agriculture: Pollution Control

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to reduce agricultural pollution as a means for improving the ecological status of rivers in England.

Rebecca Pow: We have set a new ambitious, legally binding target under the Environment Act 2021 to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment from agriculture entering the water environment by 40% by 2038. Through the Environmental Improvement Plan, we have also committed to review our farming regulations to ensure they are fit for purpose for our environmental and farming ambitions. Additionally, we have recently published our Plan for Water which will transform our management of the water system, deliver cleaner water for nature and people, and secure a plentiful water supply. There are several regulations in place in England to prevent water pollution in agriculture, including the Farming Rules for Water regulations that require land managers to take reasonable precautions to reduce and prevent diffuse pollution from agriculture.   We are working to increase regulatory compliance by boosting funding to the Environment Agency to deliver 4,000 inspections per year- targeting protected nature sites in an unfavourable condition. We are also tackling agricultural pollution through advice and incentives that include:expansion of the successful Catchment Sensitive Farming programme providing 1-2-1 farmer advice and guidance by doubling the funding to £15 million p.a. to cover all farmland in England. launch of the first round of the Slurry Infrastructure grant, providing funding of £34 million for farmers to upgrade their slurry store facilities; a critical step to allow livestock farmers to make best use of their organic nutrients and prevent pollution. supporting sustainable farming practices to improve water quality and create new habitats through the three Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes.o delivering six new Sustainable Farming Incentive standards this year with actions to improve the water environment by reducing runoff and erosion, maintaining soil cover and creating buffer strips and margins.o Countryside Stewardship will pay for more targeted actions in specific locations, features, and habitats to provide natural flood management, protecting the water environment.o Landscape Recovery will pay for longer-term, larger-scale projects to improve the natural environment. The first round of projects will restore 400 miles of rivers and streams.

Swimming

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the criteria is for designated Bathing Water site status.

Rebecca Pow: The Bathing Water Regulations 2013 require the Secretary of State to identify and maintain a list of the surface waters in England where a large number of people are expected to bathe, having regard in particular to past trends and any infrastructure or facilities provided, or other measures taken, to promote bathing at those waters.   All applications for bathing water designation are considered against these factors. More information about the application process is available here:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bathing-waters-apply-for-designation-or-de-designation.   Our aim is to ensure the bathing waters application guidance is as clear as possible for applicants, and we will provide further information on any updates in due course.

Swimming

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has a target for the number of designated inland bathing water sites in England.

Rebecca Pow: Defra does not have a target for the number of designated inland bathing water sites in England. However, the department welcomes applications for designation of both coastal waters and inland waters such as rivers. Anyone can apply, including local authorities, groups and individuals. Defra encourages applications by writing annually to the chief executive of every local authority in England and other key stakeholders such as swimming associations.   Our aim is to ensure the bathing waters application guidance is as clear as possible for applicants, and we will provide further information on any updates in due course.

Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 May 2023 to Question 183056 on Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, whether her Department has issued internal guidance on the thresholds for (a) repealing and (b) reforming retained EU law.

Trudy Harrison: Defra’s default approach remains that we will retain EU law unless there is a good reason to either repeal or reform it. Due to the wide scope of policy covered by Defra’s REUL, there can be no one size fits all approach to when REUL should be repealed or reformed across the Department. Defra is committed to maintaining the UK’s high standards and ambitions including on nature recovery and environmental protection.

Drinking Water: Standards

Naz Shah: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the quality of drinking water.

Rebecca Pow: The UK has a very high standard of drinking water quality. In England, in 2021, public water supply compliance with the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 was 99.97% and private water supply compliance with the Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 was 96.9%. Water companies and local authorities (who are the enforcers for private water supplies) are responsible for identifying risks to the quality of the drinking water. They have comprehensive monitoring programmes in place and are required to sample the drinking water supply for any element, organism or substance that they believe may cause the supply not to be wholesome. The Drinking Water Inspectorate and local authorities take enforcement action should any breach of the standards in the regulations occur. More information can be found in the annual reports https://www.dwi.gov.uk/what-we-do/annual-report/. To continue to protect public health, Defra are working with the Drinking Water Inspectorate to establish an expert advisory board. The board will consider a range of international research to help us ensure our drinking water standards and regulations are based on the latest evidence.

Cabinet Office

Cybersecurity

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps is he taking to ensure that Government technology and infrastructure is cyber secure.

Alex Burghart: The Government Cyber Security Strategy, published in January 2022, sets out how we will build and maintain our cyber defences; by building greater cyber resilience across all government organisations, and working together to ‘defend as one’ - exerting a defensive force greater than the sum of our parts. The Strategy sets a clear target for the Government's most critical functions to be appropriately resilient by 2025, with all government organisations being resilient to known vulnerabilities and common attack methods by 2030. Last month, as a key component of the strategy, the Deputy Prime Minister announced the launch of GovAssure. GovAssure is a new, more robust and independent cyber assurance regime for the whole of government.

Refugees: Afghanistan

John Healey: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings the Minister for Veterans' Affairs has had with Ministers responsible for Afghan schemes since 2 February 2023.

Johnny Mercer: I refer my Rt Hon. Friend to the answer given to his question on 2nd May 2023 (182778).

Cabinet Office: Diaries

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to Answer of 2 May 2023 on Question 182528 on Cabinet Office: Diaries, if he will publish details of any internal meetings relating to the Infected Blood Inquiry for the period between January to March 2023.

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to publish his full ministerial diary including internal meetings for the period between January to March 2023.

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish a copy of his ministerial diary for the period between January and March 2023 prior to its publication on gov.uk.

Jeremy Quin: I thank the Rt Hon Lady for her questions. I appreciate the Rt Hon Lady has also raised related issues in business questions and in a point of order. I initially made a statement on the infected blood scandal to the House on 15 December in which on behalf of the Government I accepted that there is a moral case for compensation to be paid. I followed this up by meeting victims of the scandal on 7 March. I am most grateful to the APPG, with the Rt Hon Lady and the Father of the House in the Chair, for facilitating this meeting. At a very early date after the publication of Sir Brian Langstaff’s Second Interim Report, I came to the House to make a further statement on 19 April to give Rt Hon and Hon Members the opportunity to react to the report and ask questions of the Government. I wrote to the Rt Hon Lady following publication of the report setting out that I looked forward to further engagement. I made clear in my statement that I was open to further meetings with the victims of this scandal while we progress the work required to respond to Sir Brian. I would like to assure the Rt Hon Lady, as I made clear in the statement, of my determination to progress this issue and respond as swiftly as possible. Work continues on the formulation of policy to achieve this objective, including ministerial level meetings chaired by me as sponsor minister for the Inquiry. As is usual, I do not intend to publish details of internal government meetings conducted to inform policy decisions. On the specific issue of the Devolved Administrations and as I set out in my answer to PQ181290, PQ181291, PQ181293 and PQ181294, we worked closely with the Devolved Administrations to achieve the successful payment of interim compensation to infected victims. Liaison has continued since then at official level. I anticipated meeting Ministers in the Devolved Administrations following the publication of the Second Interim Report, and I look forward to doing so and hearing their input towards our consideration of the Report. However, I would draw the Rt Hon Lady’s attention to the fact that both Sir Robert Francis and Sir Brian Langstaff recommend a compensation scheme established and funded by the Government of the United Kingdom. It is also the case, as I said in my statement of 19 April, that Sir Brian differs significantly from Sir Robert in recommending a single UK scheme whereas Sir Robert recommended the utilisation of the existing payment structures operated, inter alia, by the Devolved Administrations. The Rt Hon Lady will appreciate that on this as in many areas of Sir Brian’s Second Interim Report there are significant policy issues that need to be considered by the UK Government as we formulate our response, on which we are working at pace.

Committee of Privileges

Richard Burgon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what ethical advice his Department sought on provision of legal support to the Rt Hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip in relation to the Privileges Committee inquiry into that Member's conduct.

Jeremy Quin: As set out by Alex Chisholm, the Permanent Secretary and Accounting Officer of the Cabinet Office at the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee meeting on 26 January 2023, the contract award followed the proper procurement process and received full scrutiny from all relevant officials.

Home Office

Asylum: Housing

Richard Drax: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take to refurbish the asylum accommodation vessel she plans to use in Portland Port; what facilities she plans to provide on that vessel; and what provisions she plans to make for (a) water, (b) sewage, (c) electricity, (d) gas, (e) rubbish collection and (f) mobile phone and wifi connectivity on that vessel.

Robert Jenrick: The vessel to be berthed in Portland Port will undergo statutory inspection along with any necessary refurbishment and general maintenance, in a UK port, ahead of its berthing in Portland.It will be managed by a specialist and experienced provider, which has a strong track record of providing this kind of accommodation, having managed the two vessels in Scottish ports for the past year, and successfully with local authorities and other public organisations in Scotland.Using Portland Port’s existing infrastructure to service vessels, appropriate utilities will be provided to support the accommodation barge, including water, power, and WiFi connectivity.Portland Port has a Waste Management Plan that ensures that all ships using the Harbour dispose of all waste in an efficient and environmentally correct manner.We will continue to work closely with the councils, communities, and key local partners to manage any impact in Dorset.

Members: Correspondence

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to the hon. Member for Glasgow Central's enquiries of (a) 9 February 2023, reference ZA24239, (b) 17 March 2020, reference ZA32188 and (c) 17 March 2023, reference ZA31895.

Robert Jenrick: This will be responded to in due course.

Asylum: Housing

Richard Drax: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take to help resource the policing of potential protests outside Portland Port; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of housing asylum seekers at the port on local communities in (a) Weymouth and (b) Portland.

Robert Jenrick: The safety and security of the local communities, those asylum seekers on the sites and the staff are of the utmost importance.To ensure security forms an integral part of the proposed site, a specialist security provider will be working on site 24/7. We are also working closely with the local police force to ensure appropriate security arrangements are in place.

Asylum: Housing

Richard Drax: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which local authority will be responsible for housing people who successfully apply for asylum in the UK after being accommodated on a vessel in Portland Port.

Robert Jenrick: All asylum seekers will have entered the asylum process.

Asylum: Housing

Richard Drax: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to begin housing asylum seekers in Portland Port; and whether her Department holds data on the (a) country of origin, (b) age and (c) asylum process status of the people planned to be housed in the port.

Robert Jenrick: Every resident at Manston undergoes security checks and screening for health issues. Treatment is given where appropriate. We will assess an individual’s suitability to reside at Portland prior to placement there and continue to assess each person’s suitability at regular intervals whilst on the vessel.The cohort will be single adult males who have undergone health and security checks at Manston. The cohort will be mixed nationalities that reflect the nationalities arriving in the UK and claiming asylum. They will all have entered the asylum process.

Asylum: Housing

Richard Drax: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the operational berth for submarines at Portland Port is currently deemed to be a strategic asset for Navy Command; and whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence on the potential impacts of housing asylum seekers on the barge on (a) emergency planning arrangements, (b) site security and (c) other defence matters.

Robert Jenrick: The Ministry of Defence have been closely involved with our plans.

Asylum: Housing

Richard Drax: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who has been contracted to provide the barge for Portland Port; and whether the same provider will be responsible for all facilities, services and staff on the barge and shore side.

Robert Jenrick: The vessel will be managed by our supplier, under contractual terms agreed with the Home Office. The same supplier has safely and successfully managed two vessels for Ukrainian refugees for the Scottish Government over the past year.

Asylum: Housing

Richard Drax: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seeks will be initially accommodated on the barge in Portland Port when it opens; and what her Department's planned timescale is to fill the total number of spaces.

Robert Jenrick: The provision of an accommodation barge at Portland Port will provide capacity for a maximum of 506 asylum seekers. There will be a phased programme of embarkation to ensure the site is run effectively, with as minimal impact on the local community as possible.

Visas: Chevening Scholarships Programme

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to extend leave to remain to Afghan Chevening Scholars whose visas are due to expire within the next 12 months.

Robert Jenrick: Under Pathway 1, vulnerable and at-risk individuals who arrived in the UK under the Afghan evacuation programme have been the first to be settled under the Afghan Citizen Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). This includes those Chevening scholars who were evacuated, and those who were notified by the UK Government that they had been called forward or specifically authorised for evacuation, but were not able to board flights and have subsequently arrived in the UK. Individuals on the 2020/21 and 2021/22 Chevening programmes who were in the UK and did not meet the eligibility requirements for ACRS Pathway 3, which includes Chevening alumni at risk, were granted Indefinite Leave to Remain outside of the Rules, alongside their immediate family members who were also already in the UK. Chevening awards were offered to Afghans resident in safe third countries for the academic year 2022-23. It was made clear to applicants that the scholarship is not an offer of resettlement and that the usual Chevening policy would apply, including the requirement to leave the UK at the end of their scholarship.

Asylum: Housing

Richard Drax: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of hours a day migrants will remain on the barge in Portland Port; whether those migrants will be required to be on the barge overnight; and what steps her Department plans to take when a migrant does not return to the barge at an appointed time.

Robert Jenrick: Asylum seekers accommodated in large accommodation sites will be non-detained. The site is self-contained with essential living needs provided on site, although those living at the site would be free to come and go. If an asylum seeker were not back on site by 11pm a call would be made to the individual to establish their whereabouts. The vessel will be managed an experienced accommodation provider, under contractual terms agreed with the Home Office. The same supplier has safely and successfully managed two vessels for Ukrainian refugees for the Scottish Government over the past year.

Fraud

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the new fraud reporting service that is due to replace Action Fraud within the next year will (a) record and (b) publish data on the number of reported incidents in which (i) fraud and (ii) identity theft has been attempted but no financial losses have occurred.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the new National Fraud Squad will (a) operate under the leadership of a dedicated commander, (b) have a single, unified budget to be deployed flexibly across its operational units and (c) be able to deploy its 400 staff flexibly across those operational units.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Paragraph 21 of the Fraud Strategy published on 3 May 2023, which were the top five countries identified as sources of fraud originating from overseas or having an international element; and what contribution did each of those countries make to the 70 per cent of fraud estimated as originating from overseas or having an international element.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Footnote 15 of the Fraud Strategy published on 3 May 2023, if she will publish a copy of the professional estimation of international fraud offending, produced by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau in February 2022.

Tom Tugendhat: As joint leaders of the National Fraud Squad (NFS), the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) which sits within the National Crime Agency (NCA), and the City of London Police (CoLP), will provide the central oversight and leadership of the NFS. The NCA and CoLP can flexibly direct resources within the national and regional structures as needed, depending on the nature of the capability used. The budget will sit with the organisation that owns the capability.The new fraud reporting service will continue to take reports of attempted fraud where no loss has occurred. The service will also continue to take reports on ID theft where there is an attempted or actual fraud involved.Fraud and cyber crime trends are published on the Action Fraud website and can be found at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/fraud-stats. These data include both attempted fraud and overall losses.We are working closely with law enforcement and intelligence partners to improve our understanding of the international fraud threat to the UK, to allow us to strengthen our upstream response and tackle fraud at its source.We have committed in the Fraud Strategy to working with the NCA and FCDO to assess the countries where fraud comes from, and where we can make the greatest impact in tackling it. The fraud threat to the UK is varied, with some international jurisdictions more commonly reported as connected to certain types of fraud than others e.g., romance fraud in North-West Africa, call centre enabled fraud in South-East Asia and investment fraud from different parts of Europe.Law enforcement data can be sensitive and publication of the NFIB estimation would be a matter for City of London Police. We will continue to work with law enforcement partners to scope what data can be shared publicly.

Asylum: Housing

Richard Drax: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the migrants on the barge in Portland Port do not engage with local criminals.

Robert Jenrick: A specialist and experienced security provider will be working on site 24/7. We are also working closely with the local police force to ensure appropriate security arrangements are in place. The safety and security of the local communities, asylum seekers on site and staff are of the utmost importance to the Home Office.

Asylum: Housing

Richard Drax: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the risk of the migrants on the barge in Portland Port being forced into (a) modern slavery, (b) drug activity and (c) other crimes.

Robert Jenrick: A specialist and experienced security provider will be working to ensure the site is run in an orderly manner with limited impact on the local community.We are also working closely with local police forces to ensure appropriate security arrangements are in place.Upon arrival, all asylum claimants are subject to mandatory security checks to confirm their identity and to link it to their biometric details for the purpose of immigration, security and criminality checks. These checks are critical to the delivery of a safe and secure immigration system.The safety and security of the local communities, asylum seekers on site and staff are of the utmost importance to the Home Office.

Refugees: Afghanistan

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applicants for the Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme Pathway 1 have been resettled in the UK up to 2 May 2023; and of this number, how many arrived in the UK as part of the Operation Pitting evacuations.

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many former Afghan interpreters, military personnel and locally-employed MOD staff and contractors were turned down for the ex-gratia scheme which operated from 2013 to November 2022; and what the most common reasons were for rejecting applications.

Robert Jenrick: We owe a debt of gratitude to those Afghan citizens who risked their lives working for, or with, UK forces. Their safety and security, and that of their families, is a government priority. The Intimidation Policy and Ex-Gratia Scheme (EGS) was initially set up to recognise this.We relocated approximately 1,400 people including Locally Engaged Staff and their immediate families to the UK. Of those staff, all but six were interpreters. Four were relocated under the now defunct Intimidation Policy, one under the new Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP).To date, we have relocated over 12,000 ARAP eligible principals and their immediate families to the UK, including over 5,000 since Operation PITTING concluded at the end of August 2021. We know there is still a way to go to bring all those who are eligible to safety in the UK. The Ministry of Defence continues to receive an unprecedented number of applications to the ARAP scheme, many of which are speculative, or duplicates of applications already made.There has been total of 21,365 individuals arrive in the UK under the ARAP and Pathway 1of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme. 7,619 people who were brought to safety in the UK during and after the evacuation eligible for the ACRS have been resettled under Pathway 1.Whilst a precise breakdown of the all the data requested is not available, work continues to assure information relating to all the people resettled and relocated to the UK. The next quarterly publication of statistics is due on 25 May 2023. More information can be viewed at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data

Domestic Abuse: Victims

Sir Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the difficulties victims of domestic abuse experience in (a) severing contracts for services to which their abusers are a party and (b) in continuing to have access to those services; and if she will take steps to strengthen the rights of victims in such circumstances.

Miss Sarah Dines: Tackling domestic abuse is a government priority and improving the response to economic abuse is integral to this. Economic abuse is now recognised in law as part of domestic abuse included in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. This is in recognition of the devastating impact it can have on victims’ lives. In July 2022, we published our Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance which contains specific information relating to economic abuse and includes examples which will assist relevant parties in recognising economic abuse.We continue to work closely with and fund organisations that seek to promote awareness of economic abuse and improve public and private sector response. Our Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan doubled our investment to £200,000 of funding per annum up to March 2025.The Government has provided £567,000 of funding between 2018-2022 to Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA), an organisation that raises awareness of economic abuse and supports victims. Money Advice Plus, in partnership with SEA, run the Financial Support Line for Victims of Domestic Abuse. It offers specialist advice domestic abuse victims in financial difficulty to move forward with economic safety and may be able to support in situations where victims wish to sever contracts for services to which their abusers are a party.The Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan also calls for more financial sector firms to sign up to the Financial Abuse Code to act to prevent economic abuse and help deliver the best possible outcomes for victims and survivors. In January 2023, The Fairness Group published the Economic Abuse Toolkit, developed alongside SEA and Money Advice Plus. The toolkit brings together proven best practices allowing businesses to recognise and support customers who are experiencing economic abuse.

RAF Scampton

Sir Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Material Safety Data Sheets for the disused buildings at the former RAF Scampton will be published publicly.

Robert Jenrick: The Material Safety Data Sheets for RAF Scampton will not be published publicly.

Department for Education

Childcare and Pre-school Education

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the free education and childcare for 2-year-olds announced in the Spring Budget 2023, HC 1183, published on 15 March 2023, what assessment her Department has made of the need to ensure access to support for terminally ill parents who are unable to work due to their condition.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to additional support for childcare costs announced in the Spring Budget 2023, HC 1183, published on 15 March 2023, whether her Department is taking steps to help support terminally ill parents with dependent children who are unable to work with the cost of childcare.

Claire Coutinho: Hearing that your illness cannot be cured must be a frightening and devastating experience. In the Spring Budget 2023, the government announced a number of transformative reforms to childcare for parents, children, and the economy. Whilst terminally ill parents do not explicitly form part of the eligibility criteria for any entitlement, these parents may be able to access the existing offers that support low-income or non-working households, such as the universal 15-hour offer for all 3 and 4-year-olds and the 15-hour offer for disadvantaged 2-year-olds. Parents are eligible for the 2-year-old offer if they are low-income and in receipt of certain benefits, such as Universal Credit, or if the child is looked after, previously looked after, or has an Education, Health and Care plan.Low-income families who are eligible for Universal Credit will still have up to 85% of their childcare costs covered. In the Spring Budget, we announced changes that will ensure these families have support with their childcare costs upfront when they need it, rather than in arrears. The government is also increasing support for these families by increasing the childcare cost maximum amounts to £950 for one child and £1,629 for two children.The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides terminally ill people, including parents, with financial support quickly and compassionately through the benefits system. The main way that DWP does this is through special benefit rules, sometimes referred to as the Special Rules. These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment, serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.From 3 April 2023, people who have 12-months or less to live can claim Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit and Attendance Allowance under the special rules.

Teachers: Qualifications

Naz Shah: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has plans to require (a) distance, (b) remote learning and (c) online education providers to make information on the qualifications of their teachers and tutors publicly available.

Nick Gibb: On 20 March 2023, the Department launched the Online Education Accreditation Scheme (OEAS). This scheme provides for the voluntary accreditation of full-time, online-only education providers. The OEAS is non-statutory, but the Department’s aim is that commissioners of full-time online education for school-age pupils in England should use accredited providers for new places wherever possible.As a condition of accreditation under the OEAS, applicants must consistently meet the Online Education Standards. These standards are modelled on the Independent School Standards, which ensure the safety and suitability of education provided in registered independent schools.

Employment: Older People

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the number of additional people over the age of 50 who are expected to benefit from (a) apprenticeships, (b) skills bootcamps and (c) sector-based work academy programmes as a result of the returnerships initiative.

Robert Halfon: Returnerships are targeted at adults over the age of 50 who are returning to work or seeking a career change, by bringing together Apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps and Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs). Returnerships will raise awareness of these pathways, providing a clear route back into work and encouraging employers to hire older workers.In the Spring Budget, the government announced additional funding of £63.2 million over the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years to increase the availability of Skills Bootcamps and SWAPs.This includes £34.4 million of additional funding for Skills Bootcamps, helping up to 8,000 more people to benefit from this transformational scheme, with an aim of delivering 64,000 training places from the 2024/25 financial year. The department expect this will result in around 1,000 Skills Bootcamps starts for the over 50s based on current participation rates by age.The Department for Work and Pensions is also expanding SWAPs, supported by £28.8 million of additional funding, to increase the number of places available and make the programme more accessible. This will provide for 80,000 new SWAPs starts in each of the two financial years.The department has not made an assessment of the number of additional people over the age of 50 who are expected to start an apprenticeship. Levels of apprenticeship starts are subject to demand by employers who decide which apprenticeships they offer and when, as well as individuals choosing to apply for apprenticeship vacancies which are open to people of all ages and backgrounds.Returnerships are being promoted as part of the Skills for Life campaign and by Work Coaches in their support to over 50 claimants. The next burst will be live in June 2023 and will direct adults to further information at Unlock your potential - Skills for Life: https://skillsforlife.campaign.gov.uk/.

Students: Loans

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the financial impact of the Student Loans Company's decision to change the overseas earnings thresholds for Poland for Plan 2 student loans from £16,380 in 2022-23 to £10,920 in 2023-24 on students.

Robert Halfon: The repayment of student loans is governed by the Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) Regulations 2009 (as amended) (the Regulations). The department calculates the overseas student loan repayment thresholds on behalf of the Student Loans Company, based on the cost of living of different countries relative to the UK. Countries are grouped in 'bands' with different levels of higher or lower costs of living, compared to the UK.The Regulations set out the specific data and methodological approach to be used to determine the bandings repayment thresholds of different countries. Bandings are based on price level index (PLI) data published by the World Bank. The PLI is the average price of a given class of goods and services in a given region during a given period of time and is used as a proxy measure for the cost of living. Using a recognised measure of the relative cost of living in different countries ensures that borrowers residing in different countries are assessed in a fair, transparent and consistent way.Bandings are reviewed annually based on the latest published PLI data. This means a country’s banding may change as a consequence of macroeconomic changes. The World Bank data shows that for the last few years, the PLI for Poland has been declining gradually, relative to the UK. At the last annual review, this caused Poland to move to a different band, which in turn resulted in a reduction in the repayment threshold for borrowers residing in Poland.

Students: Finance

Sarah Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps she has taken with Cabinet colleagues to provide Sharia-approved student finance for Muslim students.

Robert Halfon: I refer the hon. Member for Luton North to the answer given on 24 March 2023 to Question 167263.

Department of Health and Social Care

Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme: Staff

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many of the staff working on the operation of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme are (a) full time and (b) part time employees; what is the number of full time equivalents of the part time employees; and what is the average time taken to process each Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme application.

Maria Caulfield: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Autism and Learning Disability: Community Care

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to move people with learning disabilities and autism out of long-stay inpatient units and into community care settings.

Maria Caulfield: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths sent to his Department on 13 October 2022, which states that from the 25th February 2022 the MHRA investigated the potential signal of immune thrombocytopenia and identified three cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis which could possibly be associated with the Astra Zeneca covid-19 vaccine, if he will make an assessment of the reasons for which the MHRA did not receive all of the necessary clinical information to allow them fully to consider these cases; and whether sufficient information has now been provided to the MHRA to allow them to make a full consideration.

Maria Caulfield: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Urinary Tract Infections: Diagnosis

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to ensure that any point-of-care diagnostic tests for urinary tract infections approved by NICE are made available to women in (a) rural, (b) deprived and (c) other areas.

Maria Caulfield: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Urinary Tract Infections: Diagnosis

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits for reducing antimocrobial resistance of speeding up regulatory approval for new urinary tract infection point-of-care diagnostics such as Lodestar DX and UTRiPLEX.

Will Quince: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Mental Health Services: Telephone Services

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the (a) average and (b) longest response time for calls to 24/7 helplines run by the NHS for patients experiencing a mental health crisis in the past 12 months.

Maria Caulfield: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Mental Health Services: Telephone Services

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an estimate of the number of calls to 24/7 helplines run by the NHS for patients experiencing a mental health crisis that were (a) made and (b) answered in each of the past 12 months.

Maria Caulfield: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Mental Health Services: Staff

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how may full-time equivalent call handlers his Department has employed to work on NHS-run dedicated 24/7 helplines for patients experiencing a mental health crisis in the last 12 months.

Maria Caulfield: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Prescriptions

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce delays in (a) dispensing and (b) delivering prescriptions to patients awaiting hospital discharge.

Will Quince: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Neurodiversity: Health Services

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that assessments of neurodiverse (a) adults and (b) children by all agencies consider what type of placement would be most suitable for their needs.

Maria Caulfield: We expect integrated care boards to have due regard to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on autism assessments and provision of care when commissioning services for both adults (“Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis and management”) and children and young people (“Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: recognition, referral and diagnosis”).A new duty for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to assess local authorities’ delivery of their Care Act 2014 duties went live on 1 April 2023. CQC assessments will look at how local authorities assess needs. This will include considering if care planning arrangements are person-centred and focus on achieving the best outcomes for people.

Autism and Learning Disability: Social Services

Wendy Chamberlain: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) adults and (b) minors with learning disabilities or autism are held in secure medical facilities in England; and if he will publish a breakdown of those figures by the average length of residency in those types of facility among those groups.

Maria Caulfield: At the end of March 2023, there were 895 adults with a learning disability and autistic people in a secure (low, medium and high secure) mental health inpatient setting. The average length of stay for adults for current hospital spell in a secure mental health inpatient setting in days was 1,275.At the end of March 2023, there were 35 under-18-year-olds with a learning disability and autistic under-18-year-olds in a secure (low and medium secure) mental health inpatient setting. There were no under-18-year-olds in high secure units. The average length of stay for under-18-year-olds for current hospital spell in a secure mental health inpatient setting was 419 days.

Autism and Learning Disability: Social Services

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps the Government have taken to (a) reduce the number of people with learning disabilities or autism in psychiatric hospitals, (b) improve the supported housing services available to people with learning disabilities or autism and (c) improve the community mental health services available to people with learning disabilities or autism.

Maria Caulfield: In 2023/24, we are investing an additional £121 million to improve community support for people with a learning disability and autistic people as part of the NHS Long Term Plan, including funding for Children and Young People’s keyworkers.The Ministerially-chaired Building the Right Support (BtRS) Delivery Board is overseeing implementation of the BtRS Action Plan (2022) which brings together actions across Government and public services to strengthen community support and reduce overall reliance on mental health inpatient care for people with a learning disability and autistic people.From 2022/23 to 2024/25, we will continue to provide funding to build specialised housing, through the CASSH Fund, for older people and adults with learning disabilities or autism, physical disabilities and mental ill-health. Alongside this, the £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme (2021-2026) includes delivery within the programme for new supported housing.In addition, the Government is supporting the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill, which includes a range of measures intended to improve quality of supported housing. We are investing at least £2.3 billion of extra funding a year in expanding and transforming mental health services in England, including those based in the community, by March 2024. This will allow an additional 2 million people, including people with learning disabilities and autism, to get the mental health support they need.

Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason reforming the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme would require the processing of all current claims to be paused and clinical contracts to be renegotiated; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Caulfield: Should any reforms be made to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS), particularly legislative, it would likely be necessary to pause the processing of cases to allow for the reforms to be implemented in a way which limited unequal treatment between cases. An assessment of the impacts of any specific reform would be required before a decision was taken to pause the processing of cases. The Department is focused on continuing to process claims made through the VDPS, working to ensure that those who qualify receive payments as quickly as possible.

Mental Health Services: Sign Language

Sarah Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of (a) the delivery of NHS Talking Therapies in British Sign Language and (b) the (i) promotion and (ii) utilisation of these services by healthcare professionals.

Maria Caulfield: No specific assessment has been made. Commissioning of interpretation services, including British Sign Language (BSL), in the delivery of services from the National Health Service such as talking therapies, is the responsibility of individual providers.The Accessible Information Standard published by NHS England in 2016 sets out a specific, consistent approach to identifying, recording, flagging, sharing and meeting the information and communication support needs of patients, service users, carers and parents with a disability, impairment or sensory loss. NHS England is currently reviewing the Accessible Information Standard and will publish the updated Standard in Summer 2023.In 2021, NHS England commissioned the North of England Commissioning Support Unit to carry out an independent rapid review of commissioning arrangements for BSL interpreting services in the NHS. NHS England continues to work with relevant stakeholders to implement the recommendations made in the report, which is available at the following link:https://signhealth.org.uk/press-release/nhs-releases-recommendations-from-its-review-of-bsl-commissioning-arrangements/As part of this, NHS England will be publishing a ‘Best Practice Guide’ setting out the issues faced by BSL users, highlighting services that are working well and providing information to support local systems to improve their provision of BSL interpreting services.

Health and Care Act 2022

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to bring forward regulations under section 92 of the Health and Social Care Act 2022.

Will Quince: The Department is developing a public consultation on the disclosure of industry payments to the healthcare sector. The consultation will seek views on the possible introduction of regulations through new secondary legislation. We anticipate this will launch in summer 2023. There is currently no confirmed date for any subsequent regulations to be laid.

Members: Correspondence

Sir Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead of 9 November 2022 and 12 January 2023, reference MP77327.

Will Quince: The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Lord Markham) replied to the Rt hon. Member on 4 May 2023.

Emergency Services: Recruitment

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how applications for 111 and 999 call handler roles there were in each of the last five years.

Will Quince: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Tomography

Taiwo Owatemi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 2 March 2023 to Question 147190 on NHS: Tomography, how many available CT scanners were in NHS hospital settings according to the National Imaging Data Collection in financial years (a) 2017-18, (b) 2018-19, (c) 2019-20 and (d) 2020-21.

Will Quince: The following table shows the National Imaging Data Collection database number of CT scanners available in National Health Service hospital settings in the financial years of 2017/18 to 2020/21.Financial yearCT scanner count2017/184782018/194932019/205182020/21573

Public Health

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which public health factors created the 10 largest direct cost impacts on the NHS in 2021; and how much the NHS spent in 2021 on tackling the health impacts of the following public health factors: (a) air pollution, (b) alcoholism, (c) obesity, (d) excessive salt consumption and (e) smoking.

Neil O'Brien: The Department does not have data that denominates the 10 health determinants with the largest direct National Health Service cost impact. Global Burden of Disease data which quantifies the health impact of diseases, injuries, and risk factors considers the top public health factors in the United Kingdom to be tobacco, high fasting plasma glucose, high body mass index, high blood pressure, dietary risks, alcohol use and high cholesterol.The following table shows the various estimates of the cost to the NHS of the five factors specified. Comparisons of costs should not be made between these estimates because of the different methodologies used in their construction.Risk factorEstimated NHS costSource of EstimateAir Pollution£1.6 billion for fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide combined between 2017 and 2025.UK Health Security Agency, 2018Alcohol£3.5 billion annuallyPublic Health England, 2009/10Obesity£6.5 billion annuallyFrontier Economics, 2021Hypertension (excessive salt consumption is linked to an increased risk of hypertension)£2.1 billon annuallyDepartment of Health and Social Care, 2014Smoking£2.4 billion annuallyAction on Smoking and Health, 2022

Electronic Cigarettes

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will introduce a ban on vaping in (a) public places and (b) cars carrying children.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will require companies to use plain packaging on vaping products.

Neil O'Brien: The Government has no plans to ban vaping in public enclosed places, nor to ban vaping in cars carrying children. In 2016, the Government published guidance to inform evidence-based policy making on vaping in public places, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/use-of-e-cigarettes-in-public-places-and-workplacesOrganisations can use this guidance should they wish to implement their own evidence-based polices. Regarding plain packaging, our recently launched youth vaping call for evidence explores issues related to the appearance of vaping products. Once this closes on 6 June 2023, the Government will assess a range of options based on the evidence provided, including potential future changes to vaping policy and regulation.

General Practitioners: Greater London

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many registered General Practitioners are there in proportion to residents in (a) Hendon constituency and (b) the London Borough of Barnet.

Neil O'Brien: The following table shows the number of doctors in general practice in proportion to registered patients in Hendon constituency and the London Borough of Barnet:AreaDoctors in general practice, full-time equivalent (FTE) per 10,000 registered patients, March 2023Hendon constituency5.0Barnet borough5.1 Notes:We do not hold data on the number of residents in the constituencies above, which is why we have provided data on the number of registered patients instead.FTE refers to the proportion of full-time contracted hours that the post holder is contracted to work. 1 would indicate they work a full set of hours (37.5), 0.5 that they worked half time. For general practitioners in Training Grade contracts, 1 FTE = 40 hours, and in this table these FTEs have been converted to the standard wMDS measure of 1 FTE = 37.5 hours for consistency.Figures shown do not include staff working in prisons, army bases, educational establishments, Specialist Care Centres including Drug Rehabilitation Centres, Walk-In Centres and other alternative settings outside of traditional general practice, such as urgent treatment centres and minor injury units.Data does not include estimates for practices that did not provide fully valid staff records.Practices in Hendon constituency and Barnet borough were identified using the National Statistics Postcode Lookup.

NHS: Dental Services

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the oral evidence by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Primary Care and Public Health to the Health and Social Care Committee on 25 April 2023, HC 964, what factors he plans to take into account when formulating his plan for dental health care.

Neil O'Brien: We are currently working on a plan for dentistry, to improve access to dental care across England. There are several fronts where we need to take further action to support and recover activity in National Health Service dentistry, to improve access to care for all ages.Our plan for dentistry will build upon the first package of reforms agreed in July 2022, which included changes to banding and the introduction of a minimum Units of Dental Activity value. Our plan will include addressing how we continue to improve access, particularly for new patients, and how we make NHS work more attractive to ensure NHS dentists are incentivised to deliver more NHS care.

Electronic Cigarettes: Young People

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to provide support programmes to young people who have taken up vaping.

Neil O'Brien: In October 2022, we published new content on the potential risks of vaping for young people on the FRANK and Better Health websites and we have provided input to educational resources produced by partners including the PSHE Association.We are also developing a new resource pack for schools on vaping which will be made available by July. Our new national swap to stop programme, launched on 11 April, will also provide support to people who want to quit vaping.

Electronic Cigarettes: VAT

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer of increasing VAT on vaping devices to help prevent their use by children.

Neil O'Brien: I have had discussions with the Exchequer Secretary to discuss vaping policy and regulation, including issues related to youth vaping. Following these discussions, we launched a call for evidence to identify opportunities to reduce youth vaping. The call for evidence will examine a range of issues, including those related to the vaping market. Once this closes on 6 June 2023, the Government will assess a range of options based on the evidence provided, including potential future changes to vaping policy and regulation.

Social Services: Housing

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the penultimate bullet point on page 7 of People at the Heart of Care: Adult Social Care Reform White Paper published December 2021 setting out the policy to be implemented within three years of at least £300 million to integrate housing into local health and care strategies, for what reasons this policy was not included in the document Next steps to put People at the Heart of Care A plan for adult social care system reform 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025 Published 4 April 2023; and if he will make a statement.

Helen Whately: The health and social care system is facing an acute set of challenges, such as inflation and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government has rightly considered how best to target resources where they are most needed to ensure value for money for taxpayers, and has therefore decided not to proceed with some white paper proposals at this time.Ensuring people have the high quality, safe and suitable homes that can help them stay independent and healthy for longer remains key to our vision for Adult Social Care Reform. This is why ‘Next steps to put People at the Heart of Care’ launched the Older People’s Housing Taskforce. The Taskforce will bring together experts from across the sector to make recommendations on how we make sure that older people have a better choice of accommodation to suit their needs and preferences.In addition to the £573 million for the Disabled Facilities Grant, which is already available in 2023/24 and 2024/25, the ‘Next steps’ publication also announced a further £102 million, with £50 million in 2023/24 and £52 million in 2024/25. Increasing the level of housing adaptation support available in local areas will enable them to fund supplementary services that are agile and help people stay independent, support hospital discharge, and make minor adaptations.

Speech and Language Therapy: Vacancies

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings of a survey by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists published in April 2023 on (a) the average vacancy rates in speech and language therapy services and (b) the level of difficulty managers said they faced in recruiting to both children's and adults' services.

Helen Whately: We will continue to develop the workforce mix in health services, including speech and language therapists. The latest data for January 2023 shows there are 7,090 full-time equivalent professionally qualified speech and language therapists employed across National Health Service trusts and integrated care boards in England. This is 13.5% more than in 2019.

Parkinson's Disease: Enfield

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department has taken to support the mental health of those diagnosed with Parkinson’s in Enfield North constituency.

Helen Whately: The National Health Service recognises that two-thirds of people with a common mental health problem also have a long term physical health problem, and that integrating talking and psychological therapy services with physical health services can provide better support and achieve better outcomes. Local commissioners are expected to commission NHS talking therapies which are integrated into physical healthcare pathways. In Enfield North, mental health services are commissioned locally by the NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board, which is best placed to commission services according to local need.

Cancer: Ultrasonics

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the availability of ultrasound scans for cancer assessments in (a) England, (b) London and (c) the London Borough of Hounslow.

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to increase the availability of abdominal ultrasounds for cancer diagnostics.

Helen Whately: The Department works closely with NHS England to monitor the availability of diagnostic services, including ultrasound scans for cancer assessments. Although no specific assessments have currently been made by the Department at a national level, in London or Hounslow, NHS England’s London regional team reviews imaging activity data on a weekly basis, including ultrasound. Data is reviewed across London, at integrated care system and provider level.£2.3 billion was awarded at Spending Review 2021 to transform diagnostic services over the next three years, including by increasing the availability of abdominal ultrasounds for cancer diagnostics. Most of this will help increase the number of Community Diagnostic Centres up to 160 by March 2025, expanding and protecting elective planned diagnostic services.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Medical Treatments

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase access to advanced therapies for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Helen Whately: No specific steps are being taken. The National Health Service in England is legally required to make funding available for all treatments, including any advanced therapies, recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in technology appraisal and highly specialised technologies guidance, normally within three months of the publication of final guidance.

Radiology: Paediatrics

Selaine Saxby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department will take to ensure equal access to paediatric interventional radiology services in the UK.

Helen Whately: The Department will discuss this with NHS England.

Cancer: Diagnosis

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the oral evidence given by Dame Cally Palmer to the Health and Social Care Committee on 7 March 2023, Question 86, whether he plans to publish the acceleration plan on diagnostic capacity for cancer.

Helen Whately: The Department has no plans to publish an acceleration plan on diagnostic capacity for cancer. We are working together with NHS England to increase diagnostic capacity as quickly as possible to ensure we meet our ambitious elective recovery targets. This includes work underway to rollout an increased number of Community Diagnostic Centres and other diagnostic interventions at pace.

Allergies: Health Services

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of each Integrated Care Service having a specialist (a) allergy service, (b) allergy nurse and (c) dietician.

Helen Whately: No assessment has been made.

Department of Health and Social Care: Public Relations

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his Department's budget for public relations was in each of the last five years.

Will Quince: The Department does not have a central public relations budget.

Health Services: Finance

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he had made of the potential impact of the 2.8 per cent increase in the public health grant for 2022-23 on the adequacy of the provision of public health services.

Neil O'Brien: There is no model to assess the service impact of the 2.8% increase in the public health grant for 2022/23.Over the two years 2023/24 and 2024/25 we are delivering a real terms increase of over 5% in Departmental investment in local authority public health functions, through the public health grant and through funding to improve the Start for Life offer and to support improvements in the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment.

Dementia: Diagnosis

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department has taken to improve access to dementia diagnoses.

Helen Whately: In December 2022, the recovery of the dementia diagnosis rate to the national ambition of 66.7% was included in the National Health Service priorities and operational planning guidance as part of the refined mental health objectives for 2023/24. This reinforces the importance of dementia as a key priority for NHS England and provides a clear direction for integrated care boards (ICBs) to support delivery of timely diagnoses within systems.

Independent Review of Integrated Care Systems

Kim Leadbeater: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government's planned response to the Hewitt Review will set out (a) his Department's policy on the proposed health improvement strategy, (b) his Department's policy on the proposed establishment of a health, social care and wellbeing board, (c) what steps he is taking to provide long-term funding for ICBs and (d) whether he plans to implement that review's recommendation of a ten-year NHS capital plan from 2024.

Helen Whately: The Government has received the Hewitt Review and its wide-ranging recommendations. It is now considering them and will respond in due course.

Musculoskeletal Disorders: Health Services

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to include the charity sector in the process of designing musculoskeletal health and wellbeing hubs.

Helen Whately: In the Spring Budget, the Government set out a package of measures to tackle the leading health-related causes keeping people out of work, which includes scaling up musculoskeletal community hubs. As part of designing this pilot, we are working closely with NHS England, local authorities, the leisure sector and the charity sector.

Parkinson's Disease: Mental Health Services

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of mental health support available for people with Parkinson's in Cheshire and Merseyside integrated care systems area; and if he will make a statement.

Helen Whately: No assessment has been made.

Care Homes: Enfield North

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many care home providers in Enfield North constituency the Government is supporting with the rising cost of living.

Helen Whately: Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are required to shape their local markets. Local authorities are best placed to understand and plan for the care needs of their populations, and to develop and build local market capacity.

Community Diagnostic Centres and Surgical Hubs

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to publish a formal evaluation of the effectiveness of (a) surgical hubs and (b) community diagnostic centres in increasing (i) elective care and (ii) diagnostic capacity.

Helen Whately: In June 2022, the Department commissioned the National Institute for Health and Care Research Policy Research Unit in the Economics of Health Systems and Interface with Social Care to lead a report on the potential impact of surgical hubs and Community Diagnostic Centres. A final report is expected in December 2023 and will then be published.

Smoking: Health Hazards

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the number of adults that have been hospitalised due to second-hand smoke inhalation in the latest period for which data is available.

Neil O'Brien: The information requested is not held centrally.

Down's Syndrome

Liz Twist: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the Government will publish guidance to implement the Down Syndrome Act 2022; and if he will publish the current mandate to the guidance's drafting team.

Maria Caulfield: We are analysing all the responses to the Down Syndrome Act guidance call for evidence which ran from July to November 2022. The responses to the call for evidence will inform the development of the guidance, required by the Act, which will be consulted on at the earliest opportunity. The Act places a duty on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to publish guidance for relevant authorities, including health, social care, education and housing, on the steps it would be appropriate to take to meet the needs of people with Down syndrome. Guidance will cover these areas and others highlighted as important by the call for evidence. We will continue to work closely with stakeholders and a working group will be set up in due course to support development of the guidance.

Electronic Cigarettes: Sales

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) banning the sale of vaping devices and (b) providing vaping devices to active smokers.

Neil O'Brien: We have no current plans to make an assessment. There is clear evidence that vapes are substantially less harmful to health than smoking and are an effective tool to help smokers to quit. On 11 April 2023, we announced a new national swap to stop scheme offering a million active smokers across England a free vaping starter kit alongside behavioural support.

Antibiotics

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has for providing gender or sex-disaggregated data on antibiotic consumption in England.

Maria Caulfield: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) English surveillance programme for antimicrobial utilisation and resistance report and programme aim to develop and maintain robust surveillance systems for monitoring and reporting trends in antimicrobial use and resistance.Alongside surveillance of antibiotic consumptions trends, the report presents evidence pooled from a literature scoping review investigating the association between elements of health inequalities and risk of antimicrobial prescribing in High Income Countries. Trends were identified for sex, with females having the highest overall antibiotic use except for indications including acne, respiratory tract infections and pharyngitis, amongst others.The report also presents data on the rate of COVID-19 therapeutics across the country by sex and age. Antibiotic prescribing surveillance data are shared with NHS England and at cross-Government boards on a quarterly basis, as well as being published on the Fingertips tool. UKHSA are committed to identifying surveillance reporting gaps to understand the impact of antimicrobial prescribing and resistance by sex, and on Core20PLUS populations.

Hospitals: Pharmacy

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) provide funding for training additional pharmacists and (b) expand pharmacy provisions in hospitals.

Neil O'Brien: The number of trainee pharmacists is uncapped and driven by market forces. Since 2017, trainee numbers have averaged 2,500 a year. This has resulted in a year-on-year growth in the number of pharmacists on the professional register, which, as of March 2023, stands at 52,780 pharmacists in England across all settings. Health Education England is also working with Higher Education institutions to implement reforms to pharmacists’ initial education and training, so they can play a greater role in providing clinical care to patients and the public, including prescribing medicines. The Department has also added pharmacy students to the list of professionals eligible for the Education and Training tariff to fund clinical placements from 1 September 2022. It is a matter for hospitals to ensure that they have the necessary pharmacy provision.

Down Syndrome Act 2022

Liz Twist: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to respond to the closed consultation entitled Down Syndrome Act 2022 guidance: call for evidence; and if he will place in the House of Commons Library copies of (a) the complete set of consultation responses and (b) a breakdown of respondents by profession.

Liz Twist: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) clinicians and (b) other professionals responded to the Down Syndrome Act 2022 guidance: call for evidence.

Maria Caulfield: We are undertaking analysis of the consultation responses received from the Down Syndrome Act guidance call for evidence and will issue a report in due course. This report will include a detailed breakdown of respondents and information about what capacity individuals or organisations were responding in, and the area they work in, for example healthcare, social care, or local Government.

Electronic Cigarettes: Sales

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of trends in the illegal sale of vapes (a) smuggled in through the UK borders and (b) via internet sales; and whether he has made an assessment of the impact of the illegal sale of vapes on his public health strategy.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to take steps to ensure that vaping devices are only sold at regulated outlets.

Neil O'Brien: On 11 April 2023, we launched a call for evidence to identify opportunities to reduce youth vaping. The call for evidence explores issues related to regulatory compliance, including those sold online and in retail outlets. Once this closes, this year, on 6 June, the Government will assess a range of options based on the evidence provided, including potential future changes to vaping policy and regulation. The Government continues to provide funding to local authorities in support of local trading standards activity. This includes enforcement of non-compliant and/or illegal products that may pose a risk to public health.We recently announced £3 million of additional funding for a new national illicit vaping enforcement unit to tackle illicit and underage vape sales across the country. This will help us to better understand trends related to illegal vaping, ascertain what is imported at United Kingdom borders and allow us to assess the impact of the illegal sale of vapes on public health.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

China: Hong Kong

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of China’s policy towards Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: We are clear that China remains in an ongoing state of non-compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration; a legally binding and internationally recognised treaty China willingly entered into. Actions by the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities, including the imposition of National Security Law, have eroded the civil and political rights promised to Hong Kongers. As the Foreign Secretary outlined on 25 April, we are entitled to act when China breaks its obligations, as we did by giving nearly 3 million Hong Kongers a path to British citizenship. We will continue to act as a convening power, bringing together our international partners to stand up for the people of Hong Kong, to call out violations of their rights and freedoms, and to hold China to its international obligations.

Sanctions: Appeals

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason the Government does not publish the names of people who have lodged legal appeals against UK Government-imposed sanctions; and for what reason the Government does not publish whether law firms based in the UK are providing legal assistance to thoseindividuals.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 provides a robust, fair and transparent process for a designated person to firstly seek an administrative review of their designation and then, if not satisfied by the outcome, to challenge the decision by review in the High Court. In Court Review proceedings, the identities of claimants and their legal representatives are a matter of public record. Accordingly, the UK Government does not, as a matter of routine, deem it necessary to release specific information on law firms or their clients.Lawyers must abide by their professional codes of conduct, enforced by independent regulators such as the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB). We welcome the fact that in response to the Russia crisis, the SRA stepped up spot checks and investigations to monitor and enforce compliance with the sanctions regime.

Sudan: British Nationals Abroad

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many (a) British nationals and (b) dependents of British nationals have registered their presence in Sudan with his Department as of 24 April.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: As of 24 April, over 2,500 people had contacted the FCDO to either register their presence in Sudan or request assistance from there.Since 25 April the UK has supported the departure of 2,450 people, including British nationals, dependants, Sudanese NHS medical staff and other eligible nationals.

Sudan: British Nationals Abroad

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any (a) British nationals and (b) nationals holding British residency have been taken hostage in Sudan.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: We have been made aware of one British (dual national) who was detained in Sudan since the outbreak of violence - they were later released and returned on one of our evacuation flights. The UK Government continues to provide consular assistance to British nationals still in Sudan.

Sudan: British Nationals Abroad

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many seats were available on each evacuation flight from Port Sudan organised by the UK Government; and how many seats on each flight were occupied by (a) British citizens, (b) dependents of British citizens who are not themselves British citizens and (c) doctors, nurses and other clinical NHS employees or contractors.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: As of 12.00 3 May, 154 people have been evacuated from Port Sudan to Cyprus. This includes a) 94 British citizens and b) 23 non-British dependents.

Sudan: Refugees

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the number of safe and legal routes currently available to refugees fleeing Sudan.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: Our priority has been the safe evacuation of British nationals and their eligible dependants from Sudan - since 25 April the UK has supported the departure of 2,450 people, including British nationals, dependants, and other eligible nationals.The UK's current refugee resettlement schemes allow us to support the most vulnerable refugees direct from regions of conflict and instability. The safe and legal entry routes include resettlement, which includes United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) schemes (UK Resettlement scheme, mandate scheme, and community sponsorship) and family reunion visas.On 4 May, the UK Government announced an initial £5 million allocation which will help to provide urgent assistance to tens of thousands of refugees and returnees in South Sudan and Chad fleeing violence in Sudan.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Artificial Intelligence

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether access to (a) Chat GPT oand (b) other similar AI chatbots is permitted on his Department's IT systems in (i) the UK and (ii) overseas missions.

David Rutley: The FCDO actively manages all applications and services on its corporate network taking into account security and data protection risks. Authorisation and approval for the use of any individual application is subject to Departmental security policies and procedures.Chat-GPT and other similar products are not accessible from FCDO's corporate IT. The FCDO, following guidance from the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), is developing specific guidance to enable its staff to continue to work securely and protect FCDO and HMG data.

Balkans: Foreign Relations

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Montenegro on (a) bilateral relations and (b) the maintenance of peace and stability in the Western Balkans.

Leo Docherty: The Foreign Secretary met Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic in the margins of a NATO meeting in early April. I had a meeting with Ambassadors and Chargé d'Affaires from the Western Balkans, including Montenegro, in April. The Prime Minister's envoy to the Western Balkans Lord Peach most recently visited Podgorica in December and met party leaders across the political spectrum. Lord Peach also met with Montenegrin President Djukanovic earlier in May. The UK's relationship with Montenegro has remained strong throughout political change; we stand together as NATO Allies with shared values underpinning aligned positions across defence, security and foreign policy and our work to promote and support peace and stability in Montenegro and in the region is supported by frequent direct contact between our Ambassador and the country's leaders.

Sudan: British Nationals Abroad

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many requests for consular support his Department has received from people claiming to employees of the NHS in Sudan.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Consular Contact Centre received 7,342 calls about Sudan between Friday 15 April and 11:00 on 4 May, although some of these will have been multiple calls concerning the same consular case. We do not keep a log of requests for consular support made according to occupation - this includes NHS staff.

Hong Kong: Politics and Government

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has hade of the decision by the authorities in Hong Kong to suspend direct elections for District Councillors in the context of China's obligations under the Sino-British agreement.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: We are monitoring the proposals announced on 2 May by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong regarding District Council elections as they are put to Legislative Council. Changes to electoral rules in Hong Kong since 2021 have eroded the ability of Hong Kongers to be represented legitimately at all levels of government. We have made clear with our G7 partners our serious issues over the erosion of democratic elements in Hong Kong's electoral system. We will continue to bring together our international partners, to stand up for the people of Hong Kong, to call out violations of their rights and freedoms, and to hold China to the international obligations it freely agreed to.

Sudan: British Nationals Abroad

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many requests for consular assistance have been received from British (a) nationals and (b) residency holders in Sudan since 30 April 2023.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Consular Contact Centre received 7,342 calls about Sudan between Friday 15 April and 11:00 on 4 May, although some of these will have been multiple calls concerning the same consular case.British nationals still in Sudan should sign up for Travel Advice alerts.  We continue to communicate with British nationals through our Travel Advice and other targeted communications with those who have registered with us.

Tropical Diseases

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help tackle female genital schistosomiasis in countries where those diseases are endemic; and whether his Department plans to increase aid funding for prevention programmes for neglected tropical diseases.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government is supporting research and development into schistosomiasis through funding for the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) which is actively developing new drugs for the disease with the aim to counter the risk of resistance and to treat female genital schistosomiasis. Since January 2021, the FCDO has invested over £42 million into delivering services to prevent and treat Neglected Tropical Diseases, as well as strengthening health systems so they can provide these essential services. We had previously supported research into female genital schistosomiasis through support to the Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (COR-NTD) and this had led to the development of new competencies for the training of health professionals on the disease.

Japan: Diplomatic Service

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many full time equivalent staff (a) make up a full compliment of staff at the British Embassy in Japan and (b) occupy a role primarily focussed on business relationships and trade at that Embassy.

David Rutley: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Gulf Strategy Fund

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to take steps to increase the transparency of the Gulf Strategy Fund; and if his Department will publish details of payments from the Gulf Strategy Fund.

David Rutley: The FCDO's International Programme (IP), and within it the Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF), is a vital tool in promoting positive change and reforms across the world, including in the Gulf. All cooperation through the Gulf Strategy Fund is subject to rigorous risk assessments to ensure all work meets our human rights obligations and our values. We publish an annual summary of the GSF's work on gov.uk [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-development-assistance-oda-fcdo-international-programme-spend-objectives-2021-to-2022/gulf-strategy-fund] which includes summaries of projects in each country. We will not publish information that presents risks to our staff, programme suppliers and beneficiaries, or which may impact our relationships with our international partners.

Syria: Politics and Government

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for his policies of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria's proposal of the 18th of April 2023 for a solution to the Syrian crisis.

David Rutley: We continue to review the Initiative to Solve the Syria Crisis, published by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) on 18 April, and we recognise the importance of all voices, including Kurdish voices being included in the political dialogue about the future of Syria. Most recently, UK Government officials discussed the importance of all parties working together towards a peaceful solution to the Syria conflict with representatives from the Syrian Democratic Forces on 19 April. Ultimately, tackling the challenges in northeast Syria and across the whole country, without a political solution will be extremely difficult.

Yemen: Peace Negotiations

Kim Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the renewal of the truce in Yemen.

David Rutley: A political settlement is the only way to bring long-term stability to Yemen and to address the humanitarian crisis. There is no military solution to the conflict. We encourage all parties to continue engaging with UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg to find a peaceful solution. We use our role as penholder on Yemen at the UN Security Council and work with our international partners to help move the Yemen peace process forward. On February 15, the Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon met Mohammed al-Jabr, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Yemen and the Yemeni Prime Minister, Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed on 28 April.

Sweden: NATO Enlargement

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Government of Türkiye, (b) Government of Hungary and (c) governments of other NATO member states on the potential accession of Sweden to NATO.

Leo Docherty: The UK Government remains fully committed to supporting Sweden's NATO accession. Their membership will make all Allies safer, NATO stronger and the Euro-Atlantic more secure. It remains our objective to meet together as an Alliance of 32 States in Vilnius. The Foreign Secretary regularly engages with Sweden, Hungary, Turkey and other Allies on this issue, including most recently at the NATO Foreign Ministerial, where he pushed for progress on Sweden's accession without delay.

Department for Work and Pensions

Individual Savings Accounts: Universal Credit

Matt Western: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when will he implement the announcement made by the Government in June 2022 to exempt Lifetime ISAs from Universal Credit capital rules.

Guy Opperman: The Department continues to support citizens into homeownership, including those on Universal Credit who currently have access to a generous Help to Save scheme, which tops up their savings by 50 per cent and can be used towards a mortgage.We are continuing to work on the issue of Lifetime ISAs.

Housing Benefit: Cost of Living Payments

Stewart Malcolm McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of adding Housing Benefit to the list of qualifying benefits for eligibility to access the Cost of Living payment.

Mims Davies: Housing Benefit is not an income replacement benefit; it is intended to cover only housing costs. Those with the lowest incomes may be able to claim a qualifying means-tested benefit alongside Housing Benefit to cover their other living costs, which would make them eligible for a Cost of Living Payment. Housing Benefit is administered by Local Authorities, and is sometimes paid directly to a landlord. Payments to those receiving only Housing Benefit could not therefore be delivered in a quick, accurate and straightforward manner. For those who require additional support the Government is providing an additional £1 billion of funding, including Barnett impact, to enable a further extension to the Household Support Fund in England. In England, this will run from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, backed by £842m. Local Authorities use the Fund to help households with the cost of essentials, and they are expected to help households in the most need, particularly those who may not be eligible for the other support the government has recently made available.

Universal Credit

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the impact of inflation on capital limits for savings of Universal Credit claimants.

Guy Opperman: No such assessment has been made.

Universal Credit: Armed Forces

Rachel Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2023 to Question 175486 on Universal Credit: Armed Forces, how many Universal Credit claimants have been identified as (a) serving and (b) having served in the armed forces by local authority area for the assessment periods ending on 1 March 2023.

Guy Opperman: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Universal Credit: Young People

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing Universal Credit payments for people under 25 to the same rate as for people over 25.

Guy Opperman: No such assessment has been made. Universal Credit provides those who are under 25 with lower rates than those age 25 and over. This is to reflect the fact that these claimants are more likely to live in someone else’s household and have lower living costs. It also reflects the lower wages that younger workers typically receive. However, it is acknowledged that some claimants under 25 do live independently, which is why Universal Credit includes separate elements to provide support to claimants for these additional costs. These additional amounts are provided in a similar way to all claimants.

Employment: Older People

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 24 April 2023 to Question 180649 on Employment: Older People, if he will publish further details of the additional support that will be provided to older jobseekers on Universal Credit during the first nine months of their claim.

Guy Opperman: The Additional Work Coach time (AWCT) forms part of the 50PLUS offer and gives Work Coaches more time to spend with eligible Universal Credit claimants at weeks 13, 26 and 39 of their journey.  This extra time allows work coaches to develop strategies to overcome any barriers to work which claimants may be facing, establish whether they would benefit from referrals to provision and work through any particular anxieties and concerns. AWCT is available in all JCP sites.

Employment: Older People

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 24 April 2023 to Question 180649 on Employment: Older People, if he will publish further details of the ways in which his Department and The Business Champion for Older Workers engage with employers to promote the benefits of older workers to business.

Guy Opperman: The Business Champion for Older Workers co-chairs, with the Minister for Employment, a roundtable of employer organisations to influence and drive change in employer attitudes and practices. As a result of the roundtable’s work, the Government recently appointment Helen Tomlinson as the Menopause Employment Champion, who will drive awareness of issues surrounding the menopause and work, encouraging employers to develop policies that create a more supportive environment to help women stay in work and progress. The Business Champion for Older Workers, Andy Briggs, spearheads the Government’s work to promote the benefits of older workers and multigenerational workforces to employers across England, and provide them with practical advice. The Government is also supporting Private Members’ Bills on the importance of flexible working and unpaid carers leave for supporting older workers to stay in work.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Heat Pumps: Training

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to take steps to help increase the number of training places available for heating engineers to learn to install heat pumps.

Graham Stuart: On March 2nd 2023, the Government announced a £5m Heat Training Grant to support trainees in England undertaking training relevant to heat pumps and heat networks. This is expected to support 10,000 training opportunities up to 2025. The training grant comes in addition to the £15m the Government has already committed since 2020 to develop skills in the energy efficiency and low carbon heating sectors.

Heat Pumps: Training

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many training places were available on training courses for heating engineers to learn to install heat pumps in (a) 2020, (b) 2021 and (c) 2022.

Graham Stuart: Training providers are not required to report to Government when they offer heat pump training. Industry groups are confident there is enough training capacity to meet demand for heat pump upskilling as heat pump deployment increases to meet the target of 600,000 installations per year by 2028. Since 2020, the Government has provided funding to support nearly 9,000 training opportunities for low carbon heating. In March 2023, the Government announced a further £5m Heat Training Grant to support training relevant to heat pumps and heat networks. This funding is expected to support 10,000 training opportunities up to 2025.

Heating: Sales

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information his Department holds on how many hybrid heating systems were sold in each of the last three years.

Graham Stuart: The Government does not hold information on the number of hybrid heat pumps sold in each of the last three years. However, according to Delta EE’s report ‘UK Heating market report 2021’, 1,400 hybrids were sold in the UK in 2021.

Heat Pumps: Finance

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure the affordability of replacing existing household gas, alternative fuel or electric heating systems with air source heat pumps.

Graham Stuart: The Government is providing funding through the ‘Help to Heat’ schemes, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which provides £5,000 grants for an air-source heat pump, in addition to the 0% rate of VAT on this technology. These schemes are part of a comprehensive package to grow the heat pump market and work with industry to reduce costs to consumers, which also includes targeted regulation and steps to support supply chains, such as the Heat Training Grant for installers and Heat Pump Manufacturing Investment Accelerator Competition. Further details are in Powering Up Britain (2023) and the Heat and Buildings Strategy (2021).

Heat Pumps

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether it remains his Department's target to install 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028; and what recent estimate he has made of the number of heat pumps that have been installed in (a) total and (b) the last 12 months.

Graham Stuart: The Government's target remains to install 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028 and it is putting in place an ambitious package of policies to achieve this. From 2008 to the end of March 2023, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Installations Database shows that 187,651 heat pump installations were registered. The number of heat pump installations in the 12 months to the end of March 2023 was 28,018. However, heat pumps installed without Government funding support and those in new buildings are not typically recorded in the database, with industry sources suggesting installations in new homes could make up a significant proportion of overall heat pump deployment.

Energy Intensive Industries: Costs

Tonia Antoniazzi: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate has he made of the cost to energy-intensive businesses that are no longer entitled to receive support through the (a) Energy and Trade Intensive Industries and (b) Energy Bill Discount schemes after signing a blend and extend contract with their supplier.

Amanda Solloway: The Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) will continue to provide support to eligible non-domestic energy users from April 2023 until March 2024. Contract negotiations are ultimately a matter for suppliers and their customers who should make informed decisions based on their individual circumstances. We continue to work with Ofgem and energy suppliers to ensure they are doing all they can to address price pressures and support their customers.

Alternative Fuel Payments: Second Homes

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 2 May 2023 to Question 182699 on Alternative Fuel Payments, whether the Meter Point Administration Numbers provided to suppliers included (a) second and (b) holiday home owners.

Amanda Solloway: The Government determined if a Meter Point Administration Numbers (MPANs) was eligible by taking a list of all domestic MPANs and removing those which are in on gas grid postcodes or where the local area predominantly uses electricity for heating, as defined by the most recent Census in their area.For technical and data handling reasons, the Government did not ascertain the address associated with each MPAN, and could therefore not determine the primary residence status of each property.

Energy: Prices

Virginia Crosbie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2023 to Question 171588 on Energy: Prices, what his timetabled is for establishing a mechanism to protect consumers from potential future commodity price spikes and help ensure that they benefit from lower cost renewable energy sources.

Graham Stuart: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 27th March 2023 to Question 171588. The Government aims to publish a second Review of Electricity Markets (REMA) consultation in Autumn 2023 and will take decisions on shorter-term reforms more quickly where it is viable to do so throughout the REMA programme. REMA’s overall timescale will depend on the extent of reform found to be necessary and could range from those that could be taken relatively quickly, to reforms that could take a number of years to implement – depending on the nature and complexity of the reform.

Department for Business and Trade

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2023 to Question 182031 on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, whether UK negotiators sought to disapply ISDS provisions in CPTPP with Canada and Brunei.

Nigel Huddleston: CPTPP's investment chapter provides important protections for investors, which it is in the UK’s interest to accept, including with both Brunei and Canada. The Government is clear that where we negotiate investment protection and ISDS provisions, we will not hinder our right to regulate in the public interest. This right is protected in CPTPP, and the Government also negotiated additional protections for our ability to regulate areas such as public services.

Owner Occupation: Disclosure of Information

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the report by Transparency International entitled Through the keyhole, published in February 2023, what recent assessment the Government has made of that report's finding that almost 52,000 UK properties are owned anonymously; and whether the Government has taken recent steps to improve transparency in UK home ownership.

Kevin Hollinrake: There is already a high level of transparency. HM Land Registry holds publicly accessible records of the registered proprietors of land and buildings in England and Wales. If the registered proprietor is a UK company or overseas entity, information is publicly available from Companies House. Over 28,000 overseas entities have complied with the requirements of the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022. HMRC and law enforcement agencies have access to all the information provided. Further measures to enhance land transparency are being brought forward by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities via the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill.

Treasury

Employment: Musculoskeletal Disorders

Neil Coyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the £406 million provided in the Spring Budget 2023 to help tackle the leading health causes keeping people out of work, how much and what proportion of that funding will be allocated to people with musculoskeletal conditions.

John Glen: The Budget document includes a breakdown of spending on policies to tackle ill-health related labour market inactivity announced at Spring Budget 2023. This includes policies targeted at responding to musculoskeletal conditions. This information was published in the Spring Budget published document –Table 4.1, page 76.

Block Grant: Wales

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much additional funding was contributed to the Welsh Block grant in each financial year between 2017-23 as the result of the 5 per cent uplift arising from the December 2016 Agreement between the Welsh Government and the United Kingdom Government on the Welsh Government’s fiscal framework.

John Glen: The Block Grant Transparency publication sets out a full breakdown of funding for the Welsh Government, including the impact of the 5% uplift. The publication is regularly updated after each UK Budget. The next update is expected before summer recess following Spring Budget 2023.

Inheritance Tax: Agriculture

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the estimated cost of relief granted to Inheritance Tax through Agricultural Property Relief was each year since 2010.

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the estimated cost of tax relief granted to Inheritance Tax under Business Property Relief was in each year since 2010.

Victoria Atkins: The latest estimates of the cost of tax relief on Inheritance Tax relating to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief for 2017/2018 to 2022/2023 can be found in HMRC’s Non-structural tax reliefs publication available on the GOV.UK Website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/main-tax-expenditures-and-structural-reliefs.

Social Security Benefits

Richard Burgon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the the value of (a) suspected benefit fraud in the last 12 months and (b) unpaid benefits in the last 12 months.

John Glen: Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) estimates on the value of both fraud and error in the benefit system can be found in their annually published statistical report on the Monetary Value of Fraud and Error, the latest version of which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fraud-and-error-in-the-benefit-system-financial-year-2021-to-2022-estimates. The estimates for 2022-23 are due to be published by DWP on 11 May.

Inheritance Tax: Agriculture

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of tightening the criteria for Agricultural Property Relief in relation to (a) the size of the estate exempt and (b) the nature of the land use.

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information his Department holds on (a) the nature of land use, (b) scale of the property and (c) value of the estate for which Agricultural Property Relief is claimed.

Victoria Atkins: As with all taxes, the Government keeps changes to the inheritance tax regime, including agricultural property relief, under review. Property must be both agricultural property and occupied for agricultural purposes to qualify for agricultural property relief. It is available in respect of agricultural land and pasture, including farmhouses and other buildings. Detailed information about the specific nature of land use from claims is not readily available and could only be obtained, compiled, and collated at disproportionate cost. HMRC publishes annual information on agricultural property relief. This can be found on the GOV.UK Website here: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/inheritance-tax-statistics-table-122-exemptions-and-reliefs.

Taxation

Richard Burgon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the total amount of tax that has been (a) avoided, (b) evaded and (c) uncollected in (i) the last 12 months, (ii) since 2019 and (iii) since 2010.

Victoria Atkins: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates the size of the tax gap, which is the difference between the amount of tax that should, in theory, be paid to HMRC, and what is actually paid. The tax gap statistics are published annually and are available on the GOV.UK website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps.  Historical figures for the tax gap for taxpayer behaviours can be found in table 7.1 of the online tables on the GOV.UK website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps-tables.

Railways: Finance

Ben Lake: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparability factor is applied to Wales in order to calculate Barnett consequential funding for each element of the Integrated Rail Plan core pipeline including (a) Northern Powerhouse Rail, (b) Transpennine Route Upgrade and (c) other rail schemes in the North and Midlands.

John Glen: The UK Government is responsible for much of the rail infrastructure in Wales, and therefore spends money on this infrastructure rather than funding the Welsh Government to do so.   In line with this responsibility, the UK Government is currently delivering an ambitious programme to upgrade Welsh railways, including through the electrification of the Severn Tunnel and building a new station at Bow Street.  However at Spending Reviews, Barnett is set at department level and the comparability factor used therefore reflects funding across the whole department. The comparability factors used at Spending Review 2021 are published in the Statement of Funding Policy. At the recent 2021 Spending Review the UK Government provided the Welsh Government with more than £18 billion on average each year over the Spending Review period. The Welsh Government will determine how to spend this on its devolved responsibilities.

Devolution: Finance

Ben Lake: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to publish the next Statement of Funding Policy.

John Glen: In line with previous editions, the tenth edition of the Statement of Funding Policy is expected to be published alongside the next Spending Review.

Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces: Housing

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Government is taking to improve the condition of military accommodation; and what progress his Department has made on that work to date.

James Cartlidge: In the last seven years, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has invested more than £936 million in Service Family Accommodation (SFA) improvements.During financial year 2021-22, around £179 million (including £36 million of Government Fiscal Stimulus funding) was invested to improve the quality of SFA.The 2022-23 investment of around £185 million focussed on modernising homes, tackling damp and mould, replacing kitchens and bathrooms and improving thermal efficiency to maintain/improve Decent Homes (DH) standard to an estimated 9788 SFA, which is 20% of the housing stock.In financial year 2022-23, the MOD also invested £88 million to replace some of our poorer quality stock with 310 brand new homes. As a result of this investment, 96.75% of SFA are now assessed as meeting or exceeding DH Standard, up from 87% in 2016.

Armed Forces: Housing

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department last conducted an assessment of the accommodation of (a) military and (b) civilian defence personnel.

James Cartlidge: Full condition surveys of our circa 47,900 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) are carried out on a six-yearly cycle by qualified surveyors. On average, 8,000 SFA are assessed each year. Condition is assessed against the Decent Homes (DH) Standard. The DH standard is a technical standard for public housing, defined by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Armed Forces: Housing

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the armed forces prioritise which military housing units are scheduled for (a) renovation and (b) replacement.

James Cartlidge: Service Family Accommodation (SFA) renovation works and replacements are prioritised based on enduring need and current condition. As well as prioritising the most urgent cases for renovation or replacement, improvement programmes also seek to address thermal efficiency of homes to reduce energy bills for Service families, improve the comfort of their homes, help prevent the occurrence of damp and mould, and reduce the MOD’s carbon footprint.

Seine-Nord Europe Canal: Construction

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had recent discussions with his international counterparts on the potential impact of the construction of the Seine-Nord Europe canal on unrecovered British war dead.

Dr Andrew Murrison: Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials are aware of this and are in regular contact with the stakeholders of the Seine Nord Canal project. Ministry of Defence will endeavour to ensure the remains of any UK personnel are identified in accordance with our usual process.

Navy

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel there are in the Royal Navy.

Dr Andrew Murrison: There are currently 38,990 personnel serving in the Royal Navy. An additional 1,750 personnel are serving in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and 2,630 civil servants are employed within the Royal Navy top level budget. Information on numbers of the Armed Forces can be found at the following links: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2023 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mod-biannual-civilian-personnel-report-october-2022

Armed Forces: Housing

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department takes to collect feedback from armed forces personnel on the condition of their accomodation; and how that information is used to inform armed forces accomodation improvement decisions.

James Cartlidge: The Department collects feedback from Armed Forces personnel on the condition of their accommodation through a number of surveys. The results from these surveys are used by both internal Ministry of Defence teams and external bodies to inform the development of policy and measure the impact of decisions effecting personnel.

Armed Forces: Housing

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of armed forces accommodation units are empty.

James Cartlidge: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has approximately 47,900 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties in the UK. As of 4 May 2023, 9,189 (circa 19%) are void. Our Service personnel have a mobile lifestyle, and the Department manages between 13,000 and 16,000 planned moves every year. Nevertheless, the MOD recognises that it is holding too many vacant properties. There are several reasons for this: the need to retain void SFA at sites where there is a known, future increase in requirement, but not for several years; the large numbers of void SFA 'behind the wire' which are difficult to dispose of; and ongoing uncertainty over housing requirements, specifically the impact of the Future Accommodation Model which will significantly increase entitlement to SFA.

Northern Ireland Office

Pre-school Education: Northern Ireland

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, following the announcement made on 27 April that there would be significant reductions in current spending trajectory levels in Education under the Budget for Northern Ireland for 2023-24, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Budget on (a) Early Years and other organisations providing early learning and care and (b) levels of disadvantage in Northern Ireland.

Mr Steve Baker: Northern Ireland’s public finances continue to be challenging and the context of setting the Northern Ireland Budget for 2023-24 has been stark. The Northern Ireland Department of Education has been allocated £2.6 billion which represents a 1.8% reduction from 2022-23. Education is a devolved matter. In the absence of a functioning Executive or Assembly, the specific allocations within this budget and the assessments of any potential impact of these decisions on organisations providing early learning and care and the levels of disadvantage in Northern Ireland, are matters for the Northern Ireland Department of Education.

Question

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the impact of levels of cross community support for devolution in Northern Ireland on the effectiveness of devolved Government.

Chris Heaton-Harris: Northern Ireland deserves locally elected and accountable devolved Government. I share the frustration of the people of Northern Ireland that the institutions are not up and running, and firmly believe that working devolved government is the surest way of strengthening the Union. I also believe that successful local governance in Northern Ireland has always depended on sufficient consensus. The Windsor Framework delivers the foundations for stability and it is now for the parties to move forward together.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much funding has been provided by the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme to Christian places of worship other than cathedrals in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland in each of the last five financial years.

Sir John Whittingdale: Since the financial year 2018-19, a total of £145,008,534 has been provided through the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme to Christian places of worship across the UK which are not cathedrals. The annual breakdown is as follows:In 2018-19, £27,492,816 was provided to England, £2,376,216 to Scotland, £1,045,648 to Wales and £1,524,146 to Northern Ireland.In 2019-20, £28,418,267 was provided to England, £2,828,133 to Scotland, £1,041,038 to Wales and £1,928,120 to Northern Ireland.In 2020-21, £21,874,083 was provided to England, £1,563,280 to Scotland, £1,154,037 to Wales and £1,309,810 to Northern Ireland.In 2021-22, £22,422,595 was provided to England, £1,617,947 to Scotland, £726,675 to Wales and £787,620 to Northern Ireland.In 2022-23, £23,698,179 was provided to England, £1,235,955 to Scotland, £978,360 to Wales and £985,601 to Northern Ireland.

Churches: Finance

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much funding has been provided by Historic England to Christian places of worship other than cathedrals in each of the last five financial years.

Sir John Whittingdale: Historic England has provided funding to Christian places of worship, other than cathedrals, through a number of different programmes over the last five financial years.These include the following:The COVID-19 Emergency Heritage At Risk Fund granted £5,754,330 in 2020 to Christian places of worship not classified as cathedrals.The COVID-19 Grants for Programmes of Major Works gave £8,088,287 for Round 1 in 2020-21 and £9,740,031 for Round 2 in 2021-22 to Christian places of worship.Historic England has also provided public funding over the last five years to Christian places of worship for Support Officer posts. These grants are given to dioceses and denominational bodies to provide local support, training and encouragement to congregations with responsibility for historic places of worship. In 2017-18 Historic England granted £692,000, in 2018-19 £564,000, in 2019-20 £484,800, in 2020-21 £236,800 and in 2021-22 £375,150. These figures represent Historic England’s commitment to building capacity and resilience for places of worship.

Holiday Accommodation: Taxation

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on (a) removing an owners' properties from and (b) preventing an owner from registering their properties on any future registration scheme for short-term lets if they do not pay taxes on income received through those properties.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to ensure that a register of short term holiday lets is available to HMRC.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to ensure that short term holiday lets cannot be let under more than one name.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to require short-term letting providers to demonstrate that they have up to date tax arrangements with HMRC.

Sir John Whittingdale: Following last year's Call for Evidence, in December 2022 the Government introduced a registration scheme for short-term lets in England in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. On 12 April 2023, a consultation was published which seeks views on details about how the scheme will operate. The consultation closes on 7 June 2023 and the Government will then analyse the responses.The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will work with the relevant Government departments, including HMRC and HM Treasury, on the design of the registration scheme and to ensure that different measures which apply to short-term lets are proportionate, complementary and easy to understand.

BBC Radio: Local Broadcasting

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the BBC Board on the cost of BBC Local Radio afternoon and evening programming; and if she will make it her policy to provide financial support to BBC Local Radio to assist with the financing of that programming.

Sir John Whittingdale: The Government remains disappointed that the BBC is planning to reduce parts of its local output. Ministers have met with the BBC on several occasions since the announcement where they have expressed the concerns shared across the House about the BBC’s plans.While it is up to the BBC to decide how it delivers its services, the Government is clear that the BBC must make sure it continues to provide distinctive and genuinely local radio services, with content that reflects and represents people and communities from all corners of the UK.The BBC is still required to deliver its remit as set out in the Charter and Agreement. It should prioritise using its £3.8 billion annual licence fee income as necessary to deliver that remit.The Government also expects Ofcom, as regulator of the BBC, to ensure the BBC is robustly held to account in delivering its public service duties. Ofcom recently published a new BBC Operating Licence, which sets out that it will hold the BBC to its commitments on local radio in England. The BBC will be required to monitor the impact of changes on audiences and publish more information about how it delivers high quality, distinctive content and services for audiences across the UK. Ofcom will be monitoring the BBC’s performance in this area closely and will step in if they are concerned the BBC is not delivering for audiences.

Music Venues: Finance

Naz Shah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of a ticket levy on large music events and arenas to increase funding for grassroots music.

Sir John Whittingdale: The Government is committed to supporting our grassroots music venues, which are the lifeblood and research and development centres of our world-leading music sector.The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is in regular discussions with all parts of the music industry, including live venues at every level. We are working with industry and across Government to improve the sector's economic resilience to future economic shocks, as we did through the pandemic, and the recent Energy Bills Support Scheme.We will continue to engage with the sector on the impact of current pressures. As part of this engagement, Minister Lopez recently met the Music Venues Trust to discuss issues facing the live music sector, and how to support growth of the music sector and wider Creative Industries.The Creative Industries have been identified by this Government as a priority growth sector. We will shortly be publishing a Creative Industries Sector Vision that will set out our ambitions, shared with industry, to support all parts of the creative sector to 2030. We look forward to working with the music industry to deliver on these objectives.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Broadband: Prices

Dr Luke Evans: To ask Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the Government is taking to ensure wider public awareness of broadband social tariffs.

Sir John Whittingdale: Ofcom’s latest Affordability Report (April 2023) showed 47% of eligible households were aware of social tariffs, up from 16% in January 2022. While we recognise the progress, more is needed to ensure households know about the support available.In November, the Government - as part of Help for Households - launched a UK-wide multichannel campaign to publicise social tariffs among eligible households. The campaign partnered with a range of stakeholders - including other government departments, job centres, libraries, local authorities, consumer groups and internet service providers - to maximise the reach of our messaging.The Government has also provided information directly to libraries, the regional school networks across the UK and via jobcentre work coaches to enable them to provide information directly to those on Universal Credit. In March, the Minister for Digital Infrastructure wrote to all members of the House of Commons to ask them to raise awareness in their constituencies.We continue to work closely with providers and have called on the industry to do more to promote social tariffs to their eligible customers.

Mobile Broadband: Shropshire

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she is taking steps to improve mobile phone signal strength and coverage in Shropshire.

Sir John Whittingdale: This Government is taking steps to improve both 4G and 5G coverage across the country.With industry, we are investing £1 billion in the Shared Rural Network (SRN) to extend 4G coverage to 95% of the UK landmass by the end of 2025. Shropshire will see coverage improvements to partial not-spots areas where there is coverage from one but not all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and to total not-spots where there is no coverage from any operator.In our recently published Wireless Infrastructure Strategy (11 April 2023), we have set a new ambition for nationwide coverage of standalone 5G in all populated areas by 2030.We have also taken steps to make it easier and cheaper for operators to deploy 4G and 5G wireless connectivity by reforming the planning system in England. Alongside this, measures within the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, will support upgrades of sites to 5G.

Artificial Intelligence: Regulation

Julian Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what funding her Department is providing to help the UK tech sector increase the development of artificial intelligence.

Paul Scully: We have invested more than £2.5 billion since 2014 and in 2021 published our National AI Strategy – a 10-year vision to make the UK an AI superpower by investing in our ecosystem, driving adoption of AI, and ensuring we get AI governance right.In March 2023 we announced £900 million for an exascale supercomputer and AI research resource, confirmed £117 million for new Centres for Doctoral Training in AI to support hundreds more PhDs, and £100 million for BridgeAI – a programme that will drive use of AI in low-adoption sectors, such as construction.And on 24 April 2023 the Prime Minister and Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary announced £100 million in initial funding for the foundation model taskforce to build foundation model capability; ensure capabilities for key use cases; and ensure UK leadership in the safety and reliability of foundation models.

Artificial Intelligence: Regulation

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will hold discussions with her counterparts in the G7 on the oversight and regulation of (a) nation-state and (b) private sector developed artificial intelligence technologies.

Paul Scully: G7 ministerial discussions concerning the oversight and regulation of AI are well advanced. On 29-30 April 2023, the Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy attended the G7 Digital Ministerial meeting in Japan, where the UK agreed to the G7 Digital Ministerial Declaration. The Declaration emphasises the importance of responsible AI and global AI governance, and endorses an Action Plan for promoting global interoperability between tools for trustworthy AI and for cooperating on upcoming AI opportunities and challenges.Active engagement in the G7, as well as other international fora, is a key priority for the Government. We recognise the need to shape the development and governance of AI both at a domestic and international level, as highlighted in the AI Regulation White Paper and the International Technology Strategy, both published in March 2023. We will continue to collaborate with our G7 counterparts to shape the global AI landscape, achieving the right balance between responding to risks and maximising opportunities afforded by AI.

Department for Transport

Motorways: Safety Measures

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether existing smart motorways will remain in place; and whether the construction of new smart motorways will continue.

Mr Richard Holden: I refer the honourable Member to the Written Statement made by my RHF the Secretary of State on 17 April (HCWS712).

Motorways: Safety Measures

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of all lane running smart motorways have places of relative safety spaced at an average of less than 0.75 miles apart.

Mr Richard Holden: Current design standards require places of relative safety to be spaced between 0.75 and 1 mile.

Driverless Vehicles

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what legal basis Tesla Autopilot is able to operate on roads in the UK.

Jesse Norman: In general, a vehicle must have been type-approved to be registered for use on roads in the UK when new. This is the process whereby a vehicle and its systems are confirmed as meeting the minimum regulatory requirements. Tesla’s Autopilot is a collection of driver assistance features which are covered by individual systems approvals for steering and brakes, the requirements for which have been developed at an international level under the UN’s World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29). The issuing of these system approvals was not undertaken by the UK but they are mutually recognised under international obligations. The certificates for the system approvals formed part of the documentation that allowed the Vehicle Certification Agency to issue provisional GB type-approval certificates for Tesla vehicles, which enables them to be registered.

Department for Transport: Advertising

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much his Department has spent on radio adverts in each of the the last five years broken down by radio station.

Jesse Norman: Department for Transport radio media spend for the last four years is £1,257,362. Equivalent radio media spend data for 2018/19 is not available without incurring disproportionate costs.FYClient Cost2019/20£ 89,020.002020/21£ 383,164.002021/22£ 495,495.002022/23£ 289,683.00  £ 1,257,362.00 Most of the above spend has been on the THINK! road safety campaigns, covering for example mobile phones, speed and the Highway Code in recent years.

National Security: Airports and Ports

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment  he has  made of the reach and security risks of Nuctech equipment installed at UK’s airports and seaports.

Jesse Norman: The Department for Transport works closely with the aviation and maritime industries including on security matters. Equipment procurement decisions are a matter for owners and operators of individual ports and airports, taking into account the relevant regulatory requirements.

Taxis: Licensing

Julian Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to strengthen taxi licensing conditions.

Mr Richard Holden: The Department published its Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards in 2020 which focus on safeguarding standards to protect the most vulnerable, but provide benefits for all passengers. The recommendations include six-monthly DBS checks at the highest level and safeguarding awareness training for all drivers. Licensing authorities should implement these high standards unless there is a compelling local reason not to. The Department has also consulted on revised Best Practice Guidance which provides recommendations on licensing issues not covered by the Statutory Standards. The final version of the guidance will be published in due course. Government remains committed to legislating to create national licensing standards for taxis and private hire vehicles when parliamentary time allows.

Speed Limits

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to require local councils to introduce maximum speed limits of 10mph in residential areas.

Mr Richard Holden: We have no intention of introducing 10mph speed limits.

Electric Vehicles: Charging Points

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data his Department holds on the number and proportion of electric vehicle charging devices (a) on roads and (b) in motorway service stations able to be used by only one vehicle make.

Jesse Norman: The information requested is not held. Data on public electric vehicle charging devices in the UK held by the Department for Transport, is sourced from the electric vehicle charging platform ZapMap. This includes the number of public “charging devices” but the data does identify whether a device is capable of charging only one vehicle make.

Motorways: Safety Measures

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many additional emergency refuge areas have been added to all lane running smart motorways in operation since January 2022.

Mr Richard Holden: Since January 2022, 108 emergency areas have been added to all lane running (ALR) motorways.

Active Travel

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to the Second Walking and Cycling Investment Strategy on levels of active travel.

Jesse Norman: The Government has no plans to make any substantive changes to the second Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy. The factual correction to a funding table within it that was made on 10 March 2023 will have no impact on levels of active travel.

Wales Office

Churches: Wales

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much funding Cadw has provided to Christian places of worship excluding Cathedrals in each of the last five financial years.

David T C Davies: We do not hold this information as heritage is devolved and therefore the operation of Cadw is the responsibility of the Welsh Government.